A Garden Wedding in South Carolina with Plenty of School Pride

Jared, a higher education development officer, and Carey, a kindergarten teacher, met at church during high school in their hometown of Greenville, South Carolina. Although most young love fizzles out in college due to distance, packed schedules, or a combination of the two, Carey and Jared's relationship pulled through. After six years of dating, Jared proposed. Five months later, on April 8, 2017, the couple held a garden wedding at the Village Green at The Courtyard Marriott surrounded by 250 of their closest family and friends.

"I always knew I wanted a simple, elegant wedding that we could look back on in 30 years and still be relevant," the bride says. To do that, they enlisted the help of Allie Barham of Upstate I Do, who brought the couple's vision to life with one-of-a-kind stationery, bountiful florals, and gracious touches of orange.

Jenna Rainey of Mon Voir created the stationery—a formal floral suite which each guest received in a black box with calligraphed address labels. The invitations, nestled in a watercolor floral wrapper with a velvet ribbon and gold seal, included the couple's monogram and a small foil-pressed illustration of the Greenville skyline. A map of the city, watercolor artwork of the couple's beloved terrier, and a list of hotel accommodations for out-of-towners were also included.

The welcome box, which featured items important to the couple and representative of their hometown, included candles from Mercy Verity Candles, South Carolina-shaped cookies with a heart over Greenville from The Chocolate Moose Bakery & Cafe, and apple-maple-bourbon beef jerky from Greenville Jerky Company.

A mouse figurine honored Mice on Main, a public art project and in-town scavenger hunt—there are nine mice sculptures along Greenville's Main Street, and visitors are encouraged to look for them as they stroll and explore.  

Jared donned a custom black Tom James tux, finishing his look with edgy suede Salvatore Ferragamo loafers and orange socks, a nod to his alma mater, Clemson University—he graduated in 2011.

Carey wore a lace Augusta Jones wedding dress from The White Magnolia Bridal. "It was the fifth and last one I tried on," she says. "I loved the lace detail and the back of the dress." She accessorized with a long veil from the bridal shop where she bought her dress, pearls from her grandmother, and, taking a page out of Jared's book, orange Tieks.

Under his Tom James jacket, Jared sported these custom initial cuff links from Amazon. Black-and-white polka-dotted suspenders from Trafalgar added some pizzazz to his outfit, and his shirt, also from Tom James, was monogrammed with his initials. A gold-rimmed watch with leather band from Citizen—a gift from the bride—and his class ring from Clemson University completed the look.

The 'maids donned high-neck Azazie dresses, which complemented the timeless and elegant wedding theme. Carey gifted them with gold Tieks, the bride's choice footwear for the day.

Triplets Carey used to nanny for served as flower girls and wore white empire-waist dresses from Pink Princess, accessorizing their chic look with pearl necklaces.

As an alternative to throwing flower petals, Anna Stouffer of Urban Petals created these hoops, adorned with peonies, roses, ranunculus, greenery, and slate blue ribbon to hold on their walk down the aisle.

Franklin, Carey's cousin's son, served as the littlest member of the bridal party, and made a big splash during portrait time when he stepped out for his own photo-op.

The bride's bouquet, made up of anemones, roses, dogwood, sweet peas, and ranunculus, was arranged by Anna Stouffer of Urban Petals, and included small photos of the two grandparents in her family who passed away.

Jared wanted to give Carey something original and meaningful as a wedding gift. These custom embroidered hoops from Smallwoods Studios fit the bill, each one representing a different stage of their relationship with a corresponding letter about what she means to him. "It is the most thoughtful and romantic gift I could ever receive," the bride says. They currently hang in the couple's bedroom as a reminder of their love.

The couple's monogram appeared on the ceremony programs.

The ceremony took place at The Village Green at The Courtyard Marriott, where the aisle was lined with white florals and local dogwood, and a 10-foot-by-8-foot tall foliage and ombré floral arch stood at the front.

Carey's father, Dan, walked her down the aisle to "Edelweiss" from The Sound of Music—he sang the song to her when she was younger, and the movie is a family favorite. After handing off his daughter, Carey's father gave Jared a supportive pat on the back. Making eye-contact with his bride-to-be as she walked down the aisle was Jared's favorite part of the day.

The bride's grandfather officiated the traditional ceremony. Her most cherished moment of the day was turning toward the crowd and hearing him announce her and the groom as "Mr. and Mrs. Jared Martin."

The couple's stationery designs were incorporated into cocktail hour in the downstairs area of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Greenville Downtown Riverplace, thanks to a banner displaying the watercolor floral print and illustration of Bear, the couple's dog.

Two signature drinks were served at this time: The Martin-rita (a margarita playing on the couple's last name) and The Bear (a lemon-berry vodka cocktail named after their darling pup).

The buffet reception took place at UP on the Roof at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Greenville Downtown Riverplace. Tables were topped with dusty blue tablecloths and silver votive candle holders. Arrangements of roses and greenery in metallic vases tied the look together.

Anna Stouffer of Urban Petals created this expansive floral chandelier with cream, pale yellow, and orange roses and dangling votive candles that hung over the buffet table.

Carey surprised Jared by coordinating an appearance by The Tiger, Clemson's mascot, who socialized with guests at the reception.

The bride and groom shared their first dance to "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" by James Taylor. A live event painter captured the evening as the reception rolled on.

Jonathan Caleb Cake created this incredible confection, which featured layers of sea salt caramel, raspberry-lemon, and strawberry cake. It was adorned with realistic sugar flowers—insect nibbles and all—and an edible version of the couple's monogram. Guests took home slices at the end of the night as a treat to remember the day.

Towers of light blue macarons, also made by Jonathan Caleb Cake, flanked the wedding cake.

After a night filled with dancing, it was time for Jared and Carey to depart. The couple ran out under a tunnel of sparklers to their getaway car—a 1935 black Packard.

Photography, Anna Shackleford

Ceremony location, Village Green at Courtyard Marriott

Reception location and catering, UP on the Roof at Embassy Suites Greenville Downtown Riverplace

Event Planning, Upstate I Do

Flowers, Urban Petals

Videography, Jeff Bradt Video

Stationery, Mon Voir

Cake and macarons, Jonathan Caleb Cake

Music, Greenville Wedding Music; Mo' Sol Band

Rentals, BBJ Linen; Industrial Event Rentals; Professional Party Rentals

Bride's gown, Augusta Jones from The White Magnolia Bridal

Bride's shoes, Tieks

Hair, Amanda Bryant

Makeup, Ali Pennington of Cotton Rouge & Company

Bridesmaids' dresses, Azazie

Flower Girl dresses, Pink Princess

Groom's suit and shirt, Tom James

Groom's accessories, Trafalgar suspenders; Citizen watch; Salvatore Ferragamo shoes

Transportation, Archer Limousine